(Photo via Peter Schwartz)

Exciting … surreal … proud … amazing … wonderful.

I could probably use a zillion different words to describe the experience my family and I had at the U.S. National Team Middle School Bowl Series in Canton, Ohio last week. For my son Bradley, it was the experience of a lifetime getting the opportunity to represent his country on the football field.  For me, my wife Sheryl, and our younger son Jared, seeing Bradley on the field with “USA” on his helmet and jersey was simply incredible.

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Learn more about the U.S. National Team program by clicking here.

To put the week in the proper perspective, I have to start with the efforts of the USA Football staff and the coaches for putting the whole event together. They’re about to do it all over again in Texas next week after an incredible number of hours in Canton that provided a great backdrop for these young athletes and the opportunity for the parents and other family members to be a part of it.  

From the staff making sure the players had everything they needed including equipment, lunch, and drinks on the field to the coaches having these kids ready for a football game in four days was simply amazing. The coaches deserve a huge pat on the back for giving up part of their summer to teach these kids and provide a week of football that many of them have never experienced.

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Bradley has played youth football for eight years, and while I always leave it up to the coaches to handle evaluations, it was clear to me that he left Canton a better player than when he arrived, especially his footwork. My wife and I made one simple request to him before we left and that was to work hard, listen to the coaches and have fun. Bradley did just that for the five days that he was under National Team guidance. 

With 261 athletes from 37 states, it was a great opportunity for Bradley and all the kids to meet players from all over the country and to share their thoughts on the game and the week in Canton. I know Bradley exchanged contact information with a few kids and he hopes to stay in touch with them and see them again next summer if everything works out. I can’t imagine a better of week of learning the game, practice, life lessons, and a game experience than what these athletes had this week.

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That goes for the parents and families, too.  

I have to admit that when Bradley put the USA practice jersey on for the first time last Tuesday, I had goosebumps. It was an incredible feeling and I couldn’t wait to share photos and video with friends and family. It was also great to meet other parents from around the country and to learn what youth football is like in other states.  

And finally, to see my son play in a real game in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium right next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was simply remarkable. Watching Bradley run through the tunnel and onto the field was really cool.  I can’t speak for Sheryl, but I did get a bit emotional during the National Anthem and then again after the game. Jared was so excited to see his brother in this game and he watched every play very closely.

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After the game, we hugged Bradley and told him how proud we were of him. We also went up to as many other kids as we could and said the same thing. Before leaving the stadium, we said goodbye to some of the parents we met, and we hope the opportunity is there to do this all again next year.

Congrats to all the players, coaches, and staff on a great week. Kudos to USA Football and the U.S. National Team for putting on a great event!

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Peter Schwartz is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York. His older son Bradley will be playing middle school football on Long Island this fall, while his younger son Jared plays flag football. Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.